DESC:SELF-ALIGNING BOTTOM MOUNTING FOR COOLING PACKAGE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to stay mounting arrangement for a cooling package, for example a radiator of a vehicle and more particularly to a self-aligning bottom mounting for cooling package that provides ease of assembly and does not require fasteners.

Background of the invention

Cooling package i.e. radiator is a heat exchanger used in a vehicle to keep the engine cool. To best fit on the vehicle, the cooling package i.e. the radiator is provided with two mountings viz. first mounting which is main mounting and a second mounting used as stay mounting. The purpose of providing two mountings on the cooling package is to meet the durability requirements of vehicle, as these mountings safeguard the cooling package by taking the torsional load coming due to articulation, vibrations coming from jerks, sudden acceleration and cornering of vehicle.

The second stay mountings used for the cooling package may be one of the following types
a. Dumbbell type
b. Stay rod type
c. Metal bracket type

Conventional stay mounting bracket is shown in figure 1. The conventional stay mounting brackets have following drawbacks:
1. Number of part development involved is more.
2. The stay mounting bracket occupies more space.
3. The stay mounting bracket requires additional mounting brackets on chassis and member support.
4. The stay mounting bracket requires more assembly time as it requires more bolting and angle adjustments.
5. The stay mounting bracket requires additional man-power to arrange in the vehicle.
6. Arrangement of the stay mounting bracket is fatigue to operator.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a second mounting for a cooling package i.e. radiator of the vehicle that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention

An object of present invention is to reduce manpower to align a cooling package in a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a second mounting for cooling package which occupies less space, does not require fasteners, sleeves for assembly at vehicle level and safeguards the cooling package from durability issues.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a self aligning bottom mounting for a cooling package. The self aligning bottom mounting comprises a bracket, a buffer and a sleeve configured thereon.

The bracket for example a metal bracket includes a first base plate and two side members configured thereon. The first base plate includes a first slot configured in a central portion thereof and a first opening configured on each side of the first slot. The first slot and the first openings are configured on the first base plate in an offset manner to restrict the bracket from twisting. The two side members extend upward from the first base plate. Each side member includes at least one opening configured thereon for receiving bolts to secure the bracket to the cooling package.

The buffer is fitted into the bracket. The buffer includes a second base plate configured thereon. The second base plate includes a second slot configured in a central portion thereof and a second opening configured on each side of the second slot. The second slot is capable of being fitted into the first slot of the bracket such that the second openings get aligned with the first openings. The second slot of the buffer is snap fitted into the first slot of the bracket. The central portions extend upward from the respective base plates.

The sleeve is capable of being fitted into each second opening for fixing the second base plate of the buffer to the first base plate of the bracket using fasteners such as bolts and nuts.

Brief description of the drawings

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein

Figures 1A and 1B show a conventional stay mounting rod for supporting a cooling package in a vehicle and its arrangement;

Figure 2A shows a self aligning bottom mounting for the cooling package, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2B shows an exploded view of the self aligning bottom mounting of figure 2A;

Figure 3 shows details of mounting location of the self aligning bottom mounting on the cooling package, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows the details of mounting of the cooling package on a vehicle chassis, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a self aligning bottom mounting for a cooling package for a vehicle. The self aligning bottom mounting occupies less space for supporting the cooling package in the vehicle. Further, the self aligning bottom mounting requires less manpower for alignment thereof.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in brackets in the following description.

Referring now to figures 2A to 4, a self aligning bottom mounting (100) for a cooling package/a radiator (300) (herein after ‘the cooling package 300)’) is shown. Specifically, the self aligning bottom mounting (100) is a second mounting that supports the cooling package (300) on a chassis (250) of a vehicle (not shown). The self aligning bottom mounting (100) (herein after referred as ‘the second mounting (100)’) comprises a bracket (10), a buffer (20) and a sleeve (70).

The bracket (30) is adapted for securing to the cooling package (300) for self-alignment of the cooling package (300). The bracket (30) includes a first base plate (20) and two side members (10) extending upward therefrom. In an embodiment, the bracket (30) is a metal bracket. However, it may be evident to those skilled in the art to use any other sturdy material to make the bracket (30).

The first base plate (20) includes a first slot (12) configured in a central portion (not numbered) thereof and a first opening (14) configured on each side of the first slot (12), wherein the first openings (14) are smaller in size than the first slot (12). In an embodiment, the first slot (12) and the first openings (14) on the bracket (10) are configured in an offset manner to restrict the bracket (30) from twisting as well as to serve the purpose of assembly poka yoke. Each side member (10) includes at least one opening (5) configured thereon for receiving bolts (not numbered) to secure the bracket (30) to the cooling package (300). The bracket (30) includes an upper portion of the buffer (50) secured thereto. The bracket (30) is adapted to hold the buffer (50).

The buffer (50) is fitted into the bracket (30). The buffer (50) is adapted to dampen the vibration coming from the chassis (250). In an embodiment, the buffer (50) is made of a resilient material such as rubber. The buffer (50) includes a second base plate (40) configured thereon. The second base plate (40) includes a second slot (32) configured in a central portion (not numbered) thereof and a second opening (34) configured on each side of the second slot (32). The second slot (32) is capable of being fitted into the first slot (12) of the bracket (30) such that the second openings (34) get aligned with the first openings (14). In an embodiment, the second slot (32) of the buffer (50) is snap fitted into the first slot (12) of the bracket (30). The central portions extend upward from the base plates (20, 40) of the bracket (30) and of the buffer (50).

The sleeve (70) is capable of being fitted into each second opening (34) for fixing the second base plate (40) of the buffer (50) to the first base plate (20) of the bracket (30). The sleeves (70) hold the position of the buffer (50) intact with the bracket (30). Specifically, the sleeve (70) is fitted into each second opening (34) for fixing the second base plate (40) of the buffer (50) to the first base plate (20) of the bracket (30) using fasteners such as bolts (62) and nuts (64). More specifically, the bolts (62) are fixed into the buffer (50) through the sleeves (70) to secure to the nuts (62) fixed onto the bracket (30). In an embodiment, the sleeves (70) fix the buffer (50) to the bracket (30) using two M6 weld nuts and two M6 flange bolts.

Thus, the self aligning bottom mounting (100) is secured to the cooling package (300) by securing the bracket (30) with the help of the bolts (62) after a first mounting/main mounting (200) is arranged. In an embodiment, the self aligning bottom mounting (100) is bolted with two M6 flange bolts on the cooling package frame. In an embodiment, the self aligning bottom mounting (100) is secured to the cooling package (300) at its extreme bottom.

The self aligning bottom mounting (100) absorbs the vibrations in all the X-directions thus making the cooling package (300) more durable against the deflections in X direction induced to articulation, sudden acceleration and cornering of the vehicle. Further, while dropping on the vehicle chassis (250), the self aligning bottom mounting (100) gets aligned to the pins (150) provided at the bottom of the chassis (250) without creating any barrier in the path. Figure 4 shows detail view of the self aligning bottom mounting (100) on the radiator (300) with the buffer (50) aligned with the pin (150) on the bracket (30) on both left and right sides chassis (250). In an embodiment, the buffer (50) is provided with upper extended portion/oblong slots in Y direction which facilitate good level of flexibility by absorbing the chassis (250) variation in Y direction and ensuring correct mounting in the pins (150) on the vehicle chassis (250).

Advantages of the invention

1. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) eliminates need of additional fastening involved for fixing the bracket (30) to the cooling package (300).
2. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) eliminates need of additional man-power /activity required to go beneath the vehicle for fixing this mounting during installation and servicing of the cooling package (300).
3. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) involves less number of parts as compared to conventional stay mounting bracket.
4. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) is reduced in weight as compared to the conventional stay bracket.
5. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) requires less time for assembling the cooling package (300) on the chassis (250).
6. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) plays the role of the second mounting to protect the cooling package (300) from failure in terms of leakage by sharing the load coming on the main mounting bracket (200) when the vehicle is subjected to vibration and articulation.
7. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) consists of the bracket (10) and the buffer (20) fixed at the bottom of the cooling package (300) which further will be aligned with pin (150) provided on the chassis (250).
8. During installation of the main mounting bracket (200), the self aligning bottom mounting (100) gets in its place without having any fastening or fitment. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) does not come on the side frame of members, will not be in the path of installation of the cooling package (300) and will safeguard the cooling package (300) from warrant issues.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A self aligning bottom mounting (100) for a cooling package (300), the self aligning bottom mounting (100) comprising:
• a bracket (30) adapted for securing to the cooling package (300), the bracket (30) having a first base plate (20) and two side members (10) extending upward therefrom, the first base plate (20) having a first slot (12) configured in a central portion thereof and a first opening (14) configured on each side of the first slot (12), each side member (10) having at least one opening (5) configured thereon for receiving bolts to secure the bracket (30) to the cooling package (300);
• a buffer (50) fitted into the bracket (30), the buffer (50) having a second base plate (40) configured thereon, the second base plate (40) having a second slot (32) in a central portion thereof and a second opening (34) configured on each side of the second slot (32), the second slot (32) capable of being fitted into the first slot (12) of the bracket (30) such that the second openings (34) get aligned with the first openings (14); and
• a sleeve (70) capable of being fitted into each second opening (34) for
fixing the second base plate (40) of the buffer (50) to the first base plate (20) of the
bracket (30).

2. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket (30) is a metal bracket.

3. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buffer (50) is made of a resilient material such as rubber.

4. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first slot (12) and the first openings (14) are configured on the first base plate (20) in an offset manner to restrict the bracket (30) from twisting.
5. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second slot (32) of the buffer (50) is snap fitted into the first slot (12) of the bracket (30).

6. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central portions extend upward from the base plates (20, 40).

7. The self aligning bottom mounting (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve (70) is fitted into each second opening (34) for fixing the second base plate (40) of the buffer (50) to the first base plate (20) of the bracket (30) using fasteners such as bolts (62) and nuts (64).